This year’s seal season began in September 2015 for West Hatch and since then we have admitted 52 grey seals. This has been our busiest seal season to date; the influx follows the closure of a seal rehab centre in Milford Haven last year. 

When members of the public spot seals washed up on the shore various animal rescue charities are informed. British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) monitors these seals for 24 to 48 hours to ensure they are orphans. Once identified as orphans, numerous charities including the RSPCA, BDMLR and North Devon Animal Ambulance transport them to West Hatch. 

The seals are often separated from their mothers in rough weather and been unable to hunt for their own food. West Hatch rehabilitates the seals in order for them to be released. Each year the seals are given names based on a theme and this year was no different, and so the centre turned to Bond for inspiration. Some of this year’s seals included; Goldfinger, Domino, Silva and Defargo.